Independent origin of large labyrinth size in turtles

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 13(1)

Опубликована: Окт. 11, 2022

Abstract The labyrinth of the vertebrate inner ear is a sensory system that governs perception head rotations. Central hypotheses predict shape and size are related to ecological adaptations, but this under debate has rarely been tested outside mammals. We analyze evolution morphology its drivers in living fossil turtles, an understudied group underwent multiple locomotory transitions during 230 million years evolution. show turtles have unexpectedly large labyrinths evolved origin aquatic habits. Turtle relatively larger than those mammals, comparable many birds, undermining hypothesis correlates directly with agility across vertebrates. also find variation does not correlate ecology widespread expectation reptilian shapes convey behavioral signal, demonstrating importance groups, like turtles.

Язык: Английский

---

Bioinspired Artificial Hair Sensors for Flight-by-Feel of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Review

AIAA Journal, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 61(12), С. 5206 - 5231

Опубликована: Окт. 25, 2023

Flight-by-feel is an emerging approach to flight control that uses distributed arrays of pressure, strain, and flow sensors guide aircraft. Among these, hair-type have received the least attention yet hold some advantages over conventional sensors. This paper reviews hair-like microsensors developed since 2013, focusing on developments in design, construction, application. Hair-like can be found artificial cochleae, submersible navigation, terrestrial robots, and, rarely but increasingly, In this survey, we categorize into three types (long whisker-like hairs, ultrasensitive microscale short trichoid-like hairs), primarily cover may suitable for use The recent progress flow-based using sensing also discussed, along with optimization sensor placement potential flight-by-feel sixth-generation military civilian aircraft designs. survey aims provide a consolidated account history state-of-the-art hair-cell sensors, motivate consideration as viable paradigm, define avenues future research. As engineering biological science continue converge, hope researchers both fields find inspirational useful resource.

Язык: Английский

---

Avian palaeoneurology: Reflections on the eve of its 200th anniversary

Journal of Anatomy, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 236(6), С. 965 - 979

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2020

In birds, the brain (especially telencephalon) is remarkably developed, both in relative volume and complexity. Unlike most early-branching sauropsids, adults of birds other archosaurs have a well-ossified neurocranium. contrast to situation their reptilian relatives but similar what can be seen mammals, brains fit closely endocranial cavity so that major external features are reflected endocasts. This makes highly suitable group for palaeoneurological investigations. The first observation about long-extinct bird was made quarter 19th century. However, it not until 2000s application modern imaging technologies avian palaeoneurology really took off. Understanding how mode life morphology one several future directions which research may extend. Although number fossil specimens explorations considerably smaller than mammals will very likely remain so, coming years certainly witness momentous strengthening this rapidly growing field at overlap between ornithology, palaeontology, evolutionary biology neurosciences.

Язык: Английский

---

The evolution of the vestibular apparatus in apes and humans

eLife, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 9

Опубликована: Март 3, 2020

Phylogenetic relationships among extinct hominoids (apes and humans) are controversial due to pervasive homoplasy the incompleteness of fossil record. The bony labyrinth might contribute this debate, as it displays strong phylogenetic signal other mammals. However, potential vestibular apparatus for reconstruction apes remains understudied. Here we test quantify embedded in morphology extant anthropoids (monkeys, two (Oreopithecus Australopithecus) captured by a deformation-based 3D geometric morphometric analysis. We also reconstruct ancestral various hominoid clades based on phylogenetically-informed maximum likelihood methods. Besides revealing vestibule enabling proposal synapomorphies clades, our results confirm relevance addressing apes.Humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans gibbons all belong group known hominoids. This ‘superfamily’ includes immediate ancestors close relatives these species, however many instances evolutionary between ape species remain controversial. While DNA can help biologists work out how living related one another, fossils typically principle source information species. Inferring from must be done with caution, but cavity that houses inner ear – which is involved balance hearing fairly common record has proven useful tracing evolution certain groups no had previously looked see if structure could give insights into relatedness Urciuoli et al. have now used imaging technique capture complex shapes cavities 27 monkeys apes, including humans Australopithecus). confirmed shape structures most closely reflected not, example, animals moved. went identify features chambers were shared within several groups, estimate what ears like. Australopithecus, consistent being modern than while those enigmatic Oreopithecus supported view was much older converged some respects still alive today. findings highlight reconstructing early branches family tree. They offer prospect refining impressive diversity

Язык: Английский

---

Cranial and mandibular anatomy of Plastomenus thomasii and a new time-tree of trionychid evolution

Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 142(1)

Опубликована: Март 16, 2023

Abstract Trionychid (softshell) turtles have a peculiar bauplan, which includes shell reductions and cranial elongation. Despite rich fossil record dating back to the Early Cretaceous, evolutionary origin of trionychid bauplan is poorly understood, as even old fossils show great anatomical similarities extant species. Documenting structural detail trionychids may help resolve history group. Here, we study mandibular anatomy Plastomenus thomasii using µCT scanning. belongs Plastomenidae , long-lived (Santonian–Eocene) clade with uncertain affinities among subclades. The skulls known plastomenids are characterized by unusual features otherwise not trionychids, such extremely elongated, spatulate symphyses. We use observations for updated phylogenetic analyses both parsimony Bayesian methods. There strong support across methods stem-cyclanorbine plastomenids. inclusion stratigraphic data in our analysis indicates that range Cretaceous Asian including Perochelys lamadongensis be stem-trionychids, suggesting many evolved prior appearance crown Divergence time estimates from tip-dating Trionychia (134.0 Ma) Pan-Trionychidae (123.8 constrain span during has < 11 million years. rate estimation implies high morphological rates early softshell turtle evolution. If correct, partially fill gap results shallow divergence times cyclanorbines late Eocene.

Язык: Английский

---

Neurosensory anatomy of Varanopidae and its implications for early synapsid evolution

Journal of Anatomy, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 240(5), С. 833 - 849

Опубликована: Ноя. 14, 2021

Abstract Varanopids are a group of Palaeozoic terrestrial amniotes which represent one the earliest‐diverging groups synapsids, but their palaeoneurology has gone largely unstudied and recent analyses have challenged traditional placement within synapsids. We utilized computed tomography (CT) to study virtual cranial otic endocasts six varanopids, including representative taxa both mycterosaurines varanodontines. Our results show that varanopid brain is plesiomorphic, being tubular in shape showing no expansion cerebrum or olfactory bulbs, distinct highly expanded floccular fossae. The housing bony labyrinth also distinct, bounded almost entirely by supraoccipital‐opisthotic complex, with prootic only bordering ventral portion vestibule. surprisingly well‐ossified, clearly preserving elliptical, sub‐orthogonal canals, prominent ampullae, short, undifferentiated vestibule; this high degree ossification similar seen therapsid synapsids supports varanopids Synapsida. enlarged anterior canal, together orthogonal canals fossa, lend support for fast head movements indicated inferred predatory feeding mode varanopids. Reconstructed neurosensory anatomy indicates may much lower‐frequency hearing range compared more derived suggesting that, despite gaining some active features, retain plesiomorphic capabilities. As whole, our data reveal neuroanatomy pelycosaur‐grade far complex than previously anticipated.

Язык: Английский

---

Ontogenetic variation in the crocodylian vestibular system

Journal of Anatomy, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 240(5), С. 821 - 832

Опубликована: Ноя. 28, 2021

Abstract Crocodylians today live in tropical to subtropical environments, occupying mostly shallow waters. Their body size changes drastically during ontogeny, as do their skull dimensions and bite forces, which are associated with prey preferences. Endocranial neurosensory structures have also shown change ontogenetically, but less is known about the vestibular system of inner ear. Here we use 30 high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scans three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics investigate shape crocodylian endosseous labyrinths throughout across four stages (hatchling, juvenile, subadult adult). We find two major patterns ontogenetic change. First, labyrinth increases negative allometry relation size. Second, significantly, hatchlings having shorter semicircular canal radii, thicker diameters an overall dorsoventrally than those more mature individuals. argue that modification ontogeny related constraints imposed by growth, due fundamental braincase (e.g. verticalisation basicranium), rather locomotion, diet, or other biological functions behaviours.

Язык: Английский

---

Paleoneurology of stem palaeognaths clarifies the plesiomorphic condition of the crown bird central nervous system

Journal of Morphology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 285(6)

Опубликована: Май 17, 2024

Abstract Lithornithidae, an assemblage of volant Palaeogene fossil birds, provide our clearest insights into the early evolutionary history Palaeognathae, clade that today includes flightless ratites and tinamous. The neotype specimen Lithornis vulturinus , from Eocene (approximately 53 million years ago) Europe, a partial neurocranium has never been thoroughly investigated. Here, we describe these cranial remains including nearly complete digital endocasts brain bony labyrinth. telencephalon is expanded its optic lobes are ventrally shifted, as typical for crown birds. foramen magnum positioned caudally, rather than flexed in some with lobes, cerebellum, shifted further ventrally. overall shape similar to tinamous, only extant flying palaeognaths, suggesting several aspects tinamou neuroanatomy may have evolutionarily conserved since at least Cenozoic. estimated ratio lobe's surface area relative total suggests diurnal ecology. date ancestral bird, combining ancestrally unflexed caudally oriented connection spinal cord, moderately enlarged telencephalon, lobes.

Язык: Английский

---

Convergent evolution in Afrotheria and non-afrotherians demonstrates high evolvability of the mammalian inner ear

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Сен. 16, 2024

Evolutionary convergence in distantly related species is among the most convincing evidence of adaptive evolution. The mammalian ear, responsible for balance and hearing, not only characterised by its spectacular evolutionary incorporation several bones jaw, it also varies considerably shape across modern mammals. Using a multivariate approach, we show that Afrotheria, monophyletic clade with morphologically ecologically highly disparate species, inner ear has evolved similar adaptations as non-afrotherian We identify four eco-morphological trait combinations underlie this convergence. high evolvability surprising: Nowhere else skeleton are different functional units so close together; includes smallest skeleton, encapsulated within densest bone. suggest direct consequence increased genetic developmental complexity compared to other vertebrates.

Язык: Английский

---

Avian telencephalon and cerebellum volumes can be accurately estimated from digital brain endocasts

Biology Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 21(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

For studies of the evolution vertebrate brain anatomy and potentially associated behaviours, reconstructions digital endocasts from computed tomography scans have revolutionized our capacity to collect neuroanatomical data. However, measurements must be validated as reflecting actual anatomy, which is difficult because collection soft tissue information through histology laborious time-consuming. In birds, reliability endocast volume proxies for two largest regions—the telencephalon cerebellum—remains despite their use proxies, e.g. cognitive performance or flight ability. We here dataset date, including 136 species 25 avian orders, compare surface area with volumes telencephalon, cerebellum whole-brain endocast. Using linear phylogenetically informed regression analyses, we demonstrate that surfaces are strongly correlated counterparts both absolute relative size. This provides empirical support using endocast-derived cerebellar telencephalic areas in existing future living extinct potential expand dinosaur—bird transition future.

Язык: Английский

---